Chronic Illness and Mental Health
Chronic Illnesses affect many people around the world however knowledge of this subject is limited. There is so much someone can hide behind a smile and a fake laugh. This is wrong. A phrase that is repeatedly heard is ‘but you dont look sick. Just because it cannot visibly be seen, does not mean that the pain is not there, whether the pain is mental or physical it still matters. People can spend years and years suffering in severe chronic pain and the doctors, they will shut them down every time they ask for help, its either ‘growing pains or ‘you are too young to be suffering so they are left alone and made to feel idiotic. It impacts upon daily life and 8 in 10 people say it affects their energy levels and their ability to complete small daily tasks. Continuously, 70% have trouble concentrating when trying to work, for example it can seem impossible for a teenager who is being affected while still attending school everyday. Suffering with a chronic illness can be overwhelming and will get to the point where it will affect their mental health. 77% of people who suffer with chronic illness also experience feeling depressed and a decline in their mental health and general mood. You have the ability to help them.
Mental Health is a subject many wish to ignore but it is serious. There has been a dramatic increase of those who experience mental health problems and this can be due to society around us and the lack of understanding people have. When suffering with chronic pain you are not only battling yourself, you also have to fight for the doctors to listen. When they dont you are left feeling stupid, insane and as though no one cares. Depression levels rise because it seems there is nothing in their life but pain, pain when they wake up, pain when they sleep and pain throughout the day. Everything seems hopeless and like there is no point in trying, people may not feel comfortable telling others what is going on because they do not want to be a burden or be judged. This is when it starts to get worse, over 50% of those who suffer with depression result in turning to a form of self harm trying to find relief, searching for a source of control. For instance starving themselves which consequently could develop into anorexia nervosa, anorexia kills 1 in 10 of those who are suffering every year. Moreover, a more common type self harm is cutting, this does not only scar a person emotionally but physically. Self harmers do not purposely want to harm themselves they are not trying to seek attention, they may just be looking for a way to cope and express themselves. Ultimately, those who never gain the help and support they truly need might end up turning to suicide, around 15% of those who experience depression die by succeeding at suicidal attempts.
Those who are suffering with chronic illnesses and mental health crucially need support from those around them. If you know of someone who is dealing with an illness, mental or physical, help them fight their battles. You can help them gain the support from professionals. Psychologists, psychiatrist, therapist are all trained to support those who are in need and are struggling. When in a crisis it is important to remember there are services you can contact like Childline, Lifeline and The Samaritans. It is important to reiterate to those who are suffering and struggling that they are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence. Make people realise that someone cares and that you will be there to support them. That could save their life.
Questions I have been asked...
What can you do to make people more aware about mental illness?
Social Media. Create informative posts that can be shared and widely spread
Host Educational Events. Invite people to attend an event where they can learn something really useful for their own lives, while also learning about your issues.
Host Social Events. Make the reason to get together fun and social, and then tack on some information about your cause.
Merchandise. On the topic chronic pain and mental health could be made to remind yourself and for others to notice the support and awareness of the topic
Where do you think the stigma attached to mental and physical illnesses originates?
Media reports i think are the main cause of stigmas because they often link mental illness with violence, or portray people with mental health problems as dangerous, or very disabled and unable to live normal, fulfilled lives. Physical illnesses would also create the image that they should be treated and seen as incapable to live their life like the rest of society
What help can a support website offer?
There are many support websites that offer a place to seek support and example of one of these is 7Cups. This site offers a listening ear to many of those who experience mental and physical health issues. It is a safe moderated place where you can talk and meet other who are struggling like yourself even if they are on the other side of the world. This can make such a difference in allowing people to realise they are not alone and others will fight the battles with you.
